Riverside County Animal Services Announces New Partnership with the Jason Heigl Foundation to Expand Spay/Neuter Services in the East Coachella Valley

Riverside, CA – February 4, 2026 – The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Jason Heigl Foundation to bring accessible, low-cost spay and neuter services to the East Coachella Valley. The partnership will fund increased capacity for mobile clinics, community outreach, and subsidized surgeries for pet owners who may otherwise be unable to access or afford these services.

“We are excited for this partnership to enhance the great work already being done by local organizations and community members bringing essential services to the East Coachella Valley to support pets and families who need it most,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “I look forward to building a program that will truly save lives.”

RCDAS is operating in critical overcrowding for dogs, and is currently experiencing 220% overcapacity across their shelters. This means on most days more dogs enter the shelter than leave, resulting in many kennels housing 3–4 dogs designed for two.

East Coachella Valley is an area where veterinary access has long been limited and the need for humane population control is significant. Through this collaboration, the Jason Heigl Foundation will support an expanded spay/neuter initiative designed to reduce pet overpopulation, improve animal welfare, and empower families with essential resources to keep their pets healthy and at home.

“This partnership will have a meaningful and lasting impact on pets and families in the East Coachella Valley,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “By working with the Heigl Foundation, more spay/neuter providers working in the Valley can be supported to bring critical services directly to the community, reduce shelter intake, and support the wellbeing of animals who deserve compassionate care.”

RCDAS annd the Heigl Foundation are committed to working together to provide more low-cost/no-cost spay/neuter services, outreach and education in order to prevent unwanted litters, and are prioritizing high intake areas with the goal of reducing shelter overcrowding and unnecessary euthanasia.

The new partnership prioritizes access to free or low-cost spay/neuter surgery for pet owners as well as education and outreach to help families understand the benefits of sterilization, preventive care, and responsible pet ownership.

“The Heigl Foundation is committed to the belief that spay/neuter is the ultimate solution in reducing shelter overpopulation and preventing unwanted litters. We believe that focusing on a single community, with good partners, will provide a model that is scalable and can be repeated across the country,” said Jason Heigl Foundation founder Nancy Heigl. “Our Riverside partnership is an extension of our Namaste Initiative which has been highly successful throughout the country. The Namaste Initiative provides spay/neuter support to families that love their animals but cannot possibly afford the cost of surgery, which directly impacts the animal population in an area.”

More information will be announced soon directly to residents in the East Coachella Valley.

For more information about RCDAS, visit www.rcdas.org.

About RCDAS

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services shelters more than 35,000 animals annually across four locations, making it one of the largest sheltering systems in the country. RCDAS provides adoption, lost pet reunification, pet support services, and public safety programs, all aimed at keeping pets with families and increasing animal lifesaving.

Press Release

Media Contact:
Veronica Perez, Public Information Officer
veperez@rivco.org
(951) 608-4167

Related Posts

Privacy Preference Center